Saint Joseph Cupertino Friary
12290 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, Maryland 21042
(410) 988-9822
Season's greetings and may peace reign in your heart! I hope that all is well for you as we once again celebrate the coming of Jesus into our lives.
This is just a short note to tell you what I have been up to in the past few months--and to let you know what is in store for the coming months. It sure is amazing how fast time flies!
During the past summer I had the wonderful opportunity to spend ten weeks in Ghana, West Africa. There I had a first-hand experience of the missionary life. I am indebted to the American friars and the English sisters who hosted me during my stay--they made me feel right at home. The friars and sisters invited me into every aspect of their work among the leprosy patients to whom they minister. The extreme poverty of the people there, as well as the severe extent to which some of those people suffer from leprosy and other diseases, had a profound affect on me. In spite of the poverty that those people endure, they are the most spiritual and joyous people that I have ever met. My Ghana experience has challenged me to reflect on my own wants and aspirations in life. I really thank God every time I think of those people from whom I believe I have learned so much!
I just completed my seventh semester studying theology--and I have just one more to go! I really look forward to completing this degree program (when I finish, I will have a Master of Divinity). I plan to be ordained to the diaconate on April 24 and to the priesthood on October 17. As of now, I do not know where I will be stationed next year--but I do know that I will be leaving Ellicott City in May. As you can see, the next few months will be very busy for me.
Please continue to pray for me--as I will surely do for you. I look forward to the next time that we will be able to get together. Have a wonderful Christmas and most blessed New Year!!!
P.S. Although they are photo-copies, I would like to share these Ghana pictures with you. In the top one, I am with children in the village of Mfuom (a small village with no electricity or running water). The kids loved to have their picture taken! In the bottom one, I am with the C.Y.O. children from the village of Ankaful. We were on a pilgrimage to the shrine at Our Lady of Egyam (we are at a well that is said to have sprung when Our Lady appeared to a woman there in 1944). I hope that you like the pictures--I would love to show you all of them some time.
